Bedard, who was a restricted free agent this summer, has made huge strides offensively in his third NHL season. 21 year old set new career highs with 30 goals and 75 points, despite having to play in only 69 games by Christmas due to a shoulder injury.
“Connor has consistently challenged our expectations since being drafted and has quickly established himself as an elite NHL player,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a team press release.
“He uses every aspect of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he takes the ice. Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an exceptional standard for our young core, and we are excited about the incredible impact he will have in the next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”
The Blackhawks took Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Now that he’s established, the team can focus on returning to the playoffs for the first time since the pandemic-free 2016-17 season.
However, Bedard could miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on July 8. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native injured his shoulder while riding in the off-season the week before and has a recovery time of about four months.